Eating disorders

What is an eating disorder?

Eating disorders are characterized by extreme disturbances in eating behaviours and related thoughts and feelings. People with an eating disorder experience an overwhelming, consuming drive to be thin and a morbid fear of gaining weight and losing control over eating. There can be very serious physical and psychological consequences if an eating disorder is left untreated.

What are the different types of eating disorders?

Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder are all classified as eating disorders. Often, people don't fit neatly into one of these categories but still fulfill criteria for an eating disorder (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).

Bulimia

People experiencing bulimia go on regular eating "binges", which involve consuming large amounts of food in relatively discrete periods of time whilst accompanied by feelings of being out of control of one's food intake. Bingeing may be used as a way of coping with anger, depression, stress and sadness. The binge eating is usually followed by feelings of guilt and anxiety about becoming fat which results in a need to get rid of the food. Common ways of trying to compensate for binging include vomiting or "throwing up," over exercising to burn the calories, taking laxatives, diuretics or diet pills and skipping meals.

Some common symptoms of bulimia include:

eating unusually large amounts of food

being secretive about what is eaten and when

visiting the bathroom after eating (to vomit)

over exercising, even exercising when injured or unwell

being very critical of one's self

feeling moody, depressed, regularly tired/lacking energy

sore throat, decaying teeth

weight going up and down all the time, or large weight gains

Anorexia

People with anorexia have an intense desire to lose weight and be thin. Although people with anorexia are usually underweight, they generally believe that they are overweight. Food, weight and appearance become extremely important. They also deliberately maintain a very low, unhealthy body weight and, if female, often have absent menstrual cycles. Concentrating on food and weight becomes a way of dealing with or managing intense emotions or emotional difficulties that they are experiencing.

Some common symptoms of anorexia include:

being afraid of putting on weight

calorie counting, and/or obsessively avoiding high fat food

losing lots of weight in a short space of time

being hungry but not wanting to admit it

over exercising

obsessive weighing

getting cold easily

wearing baggy clothing

irregular (or absent) menstrual cycles (not getting their period)

brittle nails and hair, dry and yellow skin

preference to eating alone or only eating around other people

feeling depressed and irritable

fine body hair on the trunk and face

What causes eating disorders?

There is no clear cause for eating disorders. Eating disorders are probably a result of a combination of factors working together. These factors could include any or all of the following:

physical, emotional, or sexual trauma

cultural emphasis or preoccupation with body image ideals and slimness

relationships with peers and family

loss and grief

brain chemistry

physiological and psychological effects of dieting

stress or coping styles

genetic factors

a feeling of lack of control over one's life

low self esteem

What are the effects of eating disorders?

Physical effects

If left untreated, severe anorexia and bulimia can be life-threatening. However, the physical effects are generally reversible if the disorder is treated early. Some possible outcomes include: